Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin are on a year-long ''marriage probation'' period.

The estranged couple - who announced they were separating in March after 10 years of marriage - have been growing increasingly close recently so have reportedly given themselves 12 months to see if they can get their relationship back on track.

A source told Grazia magazine: ''It's going really well. Things are better between them than they have been in years, and the channels of communication are well and truly open.

''They've still got a long way to go, but they've decided they've got too much to lose not to give it another shot.

''The way things are looking, their story won't end with the conscious uncoupling.''

In order to help repair their marriage, the couple - who have children Apple, 10, and Moses, eight, together - have hired ''heart healer'' Blaire Allison, who also describes herself as a ''spiritual teacher, marriage and family therapist, love expert, visionary, awakened warrior and enlightened master''.

The source added: ''It seems Gwyneth and Chris called in Blaire during their recent family retreat [to The Hamptons].

''She's known for devising a tailor-made intensive heart-healing programme to help overcome stumbling blocks and repair old wounds.

''It includes techniques including intuitive heart-healing sessions, spiritual healing, prayer and meditation.''